Today's News

ABINGDON — After trying to hide their son from the authorities, a Woodlawn couple was found guilty on two charges in federal court last Friday, according to court officials.
Ricky David Robinson, 54, and Cynthia Lee Robinson, 50, faced a two-day jury trail on one count each of harboring a federal fugitive and of conspiracy to harbor a federal fugitive, according to a news release from the federal prosecutor’s office.

Cindy Halley of Galax is sharing her story of hope and inspiration through the book, “The Faces Behind the Pages that Inspire.”
Halley owns GODpillow in downtown Galax, embroidering words of courage and motivation onto pillows of prayer. GODpillow promotes healing through prayer and meditation.
Starting in October, Halley and dozens of other women will travel around the country and around the world, leading people on a journey as they tell their inspirational stories.

HILLSVILLE — Carroll County Public Service Authority officials are trying to find some common ground with Hillsville in a special water agreement.
At its regular meeting Sept. 10, PSA members approved an agreement with blanks where prices should be, for use should the need arise.
The matter came up as part of the authority’s approval items, which the members approved without discussion.

The moribund Hillsville Rescue Squad will soon go to its final reward, but the former non-profit volunteer organization deserved a more dignified death than one that lingered for eight years.
It brings to mind a shuffling zombie, still somehow ambulatory but just a shell of its former self.
The first attempt to kill the rescue squad came as far back as 2004.
That’s when Carroll County officials padlocked the rescue squad station on Main Street in Hillsville after it came to light that a member used an ambulance to move furniture from Smyth County.

Magnificent sight
The vision of the great blue heron is truly a magnificent sight, whether they are on the riverbank, in the river or in the air. We often see them in Fries. But, thanks to the striking pictures so up close and personal in The Gazette by [nature columnist] Bill Dunson, I have a whole new insight and appreciation for this bird. Thank you for devoting space for this in our newspaper.

INDEPENDENCE –– With three losses in its first six matches, a young Carroll County team hasn’t exactly found smooth sailing through the nondistrict portion of its schedule. But the Cavaliers were able to pull off something no other team has been able to do thus far in the season.

Carroll County bounced back from a first-set loss and took three straight tightly-contested games to hand Grayson County its first defeat of the season, leaving town with a 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22 win in a nondistrict match Monday night.

HILLSVILLE — In a move not on the Carroll Board of Supervisors’ agenda, the Fancy Gap representative suggested Monday that the county take a sudden plunge into the pool and water park issue.
Supervisor Phil McCraw noted that several citizens have approached the county board to express their support for the enhanced recreational opportunities that a water park could bring for youth.
This followed the creation of a Facebook group that has lobbied for the idea and, as a result, has attracted 2,168 friends so far.

HILLSVILLE — A promise of increased tax revenue from a wind farm on Stoots Mountain did not sway the Carroll County Board of Supervisors to accept an EDP Renewables project.
Instead, the supervisors at their regular September meeting on Monday gave their attorney until January to draft an ordinance prohibiting such developments in Carroll.
This comes after the county board formed a windmill committee consisting of supervisors Josh Hendrick and Bob Martin to study the matter, and after the county hosted a public hearing Aug. 13.